that's right. 29 days until the fiscal cliff. the real deadline could be even closer. one of the negotiators tells cbs news that to actually get the deal done by the end of the year a plan needs to be in place by but at nd-december. ut at the moment, very few are optimistic about that. >> t >> there's no path to an ag agreement. thates not involve republicans acknowledging that rates have to go up for the wealthiest americans. geithneury secretary tim ompromisetalked tough on sunday. promising any compromise must n thede a tax rate increase on the wealthy. >> the only thing that stands in the way of an agreement that's wa ood for the american economy is that a group of republicans weade they're going to block e's increase in tax rates on wealthy americans. >> reporter: geithner says he's optimistic a deal is possible. even as a key negotiator tells bs news the deadline to reach 15tromise is december 15th. e foress needs time for the rocessative process to work. to the house and senate to pass presidentnd for the president to sign it by december 31st. >> right now i wou